Sports Reporter
A Highlanders FC card carrying member Nqaba Donga has challenged the club to come up with incentives for bona fide members.
Donga said other than voting and attending general meetings there were no benefits to members. He said the club could explore the vast brand value it has to give those that are paid up something to cheer and entice new members to come on board.

He said a wide base of people paying annual membership could boost the club’s coffers at the beginning of the year when revenue streams are few.

“As a club I believe we have to come up with different packages of membership with varying benefits and amounts paid at the beginning of the year.

“In the past as members we used to receive updates through traditional mail and calendars at the start of each year. It was something that one held on to and really felt it as a benefit from being a member but that is no longer the case. It’s things that can be revived to boost membership.

“Now, times have changed there are several platforms to communicate through and we have the manpower to manage those processes. For instance, members can be advised even through short message service (sms) about what is happening,” said Donga.

He said Highlanders had a brand value that needed unlocking to improve what was coming into the club. He said this could be achieved through members working with the executive for one common goal – a better Highlanders FC.

He suggested items like mugs and calendars for members at the lowest level, funeral assurance schemes such as the one Kaizer Chiefs members benefit from Hollard in South Africa.

Donga said there were a number of companies that could give discounts to card carrying Highlanders FC members.

“There can be a variety of benefits such as discounts for members here and there. Bosso is a big brand so many people would benefit out of their patronage of the club as in turn members would support such companies by going in numbers,” said Donga.

At the moment members have little benefit apart from attending meetings and voting.

Turning to next year’s elections and annual general meeting, Donga suggested barring those who do not attend the AGM from voting.

“The annual general meeting is a very important meeting where the club’s reviews are done and plans for the future spelt out.  It does not benefit Highlanders for one to skip the annual general meeting only to surface to vote. These are bussed people who do not have Highlanders at heart and should not come anywhere near the proceedings at the club.

“They are a danger,” said Donga.

Another issue he said was that of dormant members.

“If honestly you’ve not been anywhere near club activities for up to five years, you cannot be seen being hauled to vote, you’re out of touch with the situation at the club,” said Donga.

He called on the Highlanders FC membership register to be attended to.

“The membership register should be attended to. The club must know who is still alive and where its members are,” he said.

Donga said members seeking to run for office should desist from coming up with manifestos.

“In many instances we’ve seen people come up with brilliant manifestos whose vision is different from the club’s Mission Statement and Vision and those people have not added any value to the club.

“Once one is running he should know the values of the club and try to better Highlanders and nothing else,” said Donga.

Donga revealed that a group of Bosso members had raised about $400 towards the improvement of the clubhouse premises but had held on to the money when the club said sponsors BancABC would help in that regard.

“We wanted to resuscitate the boreholes and clubhouse premises, when we heard the bank would assist, we took a backseat. As members we want that facility spruced up so that it can be abuzz with acivities that can generate funds for Bosso.”

 

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